The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Ganon was holding his hand out to her as she tried to blink the spots out of her vision. “Are you hurt?” He asked pulling her up and examining her for injuries. She had been so frightened that her first reaction was to cling to him. “I'm so sorry.” she cried into his chest. “What for?” He asked stroking her head. “I should have helped you somehow. I didn't know what to do. All I could think to do was hide.” Tears streamed down her face. “It's all right. As long as you are fine.” He said wiping her eyes. “ Now stop crying.” He ordered giving her a stern look which turned into a playful smile. Was he trying to cheer her up? His smile was infectious and she couldn't help but smile a little. “Ahem!” She heard a gravely voice clear behind her. Ganon looked up and tensed like he was ready for a fight. Melissa turned around to see much of the goron community staring at them. Darunia stood before them giving Ganondorf the eye. “I never would have in all my life expected aid from you.” Darunia finally said. Then the goron looked down at Melissa still wrapped up protectively in Ganon's arms. His eyes were completely black and his stare unnerved her a little. “ So this must be your guardian.” Darunia said examining her. “How do you know of the Guardians?” Melissa squeaked regretting opening her mouth. She felt so dumb. “I know of you because I have talked with Link and his guard. Please don't be afraid of me little one. This is your first time seeing gorons am I correct?” Melissa nodded. “Come with me.” The goron said to them both. A group of gorons also followed behind as a kind of escort. Melissa guessed they didn't quite trust Ganondorf alone with their leader. As they entered the chief's quarters Darunia turned to them. “ I will ask her questions first then you.” Ganon didn't look like he liked that at all. She guessed maybe he didn't want to be left out of any crucial information but to Melissa's relief he didn't argue. Two of their escort waited outside with him while the other two flanked their leader. “Now tell me. Why are you here?” Darunia asked. Melissa wasn't really sure what they were looking for other than the triforce half. She knew they needed to search the temple for something but what they would find there was beyond her. “We were told to come check out the temple by Link. He asked us to see if we could find anything he could have missed and to hopefully find what that wizard is after before he does.” Melissa said shyly looking down feeling so small. Darunia contemplated her answer. “Why should we trust you to enter our sacred temple?” The goron then asked her. What could she say to convince him? Ganon had a reputation and it was going to make it very difficult to gain trust. She thought on it a moment and decided to tell him of the history she had learned about Agahnim and the gerudo and on what she had been through since she had gotten here. She didn't know if it would help but it certainly couldn't hurt and the goron seemed to understand most of what she said. “ That explains a little but it still doesn't answer my question.” The goron said shaking his head. “I don't really know what to do to convince you we are here to help.” Melissa said at a loss of what else to say. “It really isn't you who needs to convince me though.” Darunia said looking to the door. “I know from meeting Miss Heather that you were not born here. I don't know how much you know about this world and I know you can't help who you were paired with, but I warn you. Do not trust that man.” Darunia said very serious. She couldn't blame the goron for the way he thought of Ganondorf but why was he telling her this? “ I know more than you think and I know this doesn't excuse the bad things Ganondorf has done in the past but, I have seen both sides do unspeakable things. I thank you for your concern but, I trust him with my life.” Did she hear herself right? Was she actually defending Ganon? Melissa knew this wasn't what the goron would want to hear. Darunia let out a long sigh. “You seem taken with him. Do not let him fool you. He is a cunning man who will do anything to accomplish his plan.” If Darunia felt this way now she was certain nothing Ganon would say could change his mind. Wait! Had the goron just accused her of being in love with Ganon? Where had he gotten that impression? She didn't know why but his accusation made her feel defensive. She didn't like him that way... did she? “What do you mean taken with him!?!?” Melissa asked haughtily. “ I am engaged to be married. All I want to do is finish this quest and go back to my world.” She knew she had started feeling more comfortable around Ganondorf but to accuse her of falling for him. She jumped a little when Darunia laughed. It was warm sounding which was a good sign. She didn't want to piss him off. “ There is no reason to get so defensive. I meant no harm. It was just an observation. Hold that feeling close and maybe I will have nothing to worry about.” Darunia said with a wink. Just then the small goron from the gate entered. “ Chief.” The goron bowed. “ Everything is clear. No sign of them anywhere.” Darunia straightened all seriousness returning to his face. “Good! Will you take this young lady to her quarters? And please send in our other guest.” Darunia asked a scowl crossing his face at the mention of Ganondorf. Before she could protest she was being led out the door. They didn't even give her time to talk to Ganon. She only had time to glance at him as the guards led him in and her out. She knew she shouldn't worry. Ganondorf could handle himself no matter what happened. He could be very persuasive when he wanted to be. She was taken to a small room with one small bed in the corner. She wondered if this meant she would be sleeping alone tonight. It would be nice to stretch out for once. The room was warm which made her wonder if there was lava on the other side of the wall providing the heat. “ Am I being locked up?” Melissa asked the small goron who was already trying to shut the door. “No but I would refrain from exploring on your own. We are not completely sure if the wizard has left. When Our Chief has decided what to do I am sure he will send someone for you.” The goron responded before leaving her completely alone. She didn't like this. She felt cut off from everything. She wasn't really claustrophobic but she was starting to feel boxed in and short of breath. She paced the room worried and lost track of how long she had been there. It felt like eternity before there was a knock on her door. She froze as the door creaked open. A small goron that looked to be a child peaked in. “Hello!” It said when it saw she was awake. “I am sorry to disturb you but I brought you some dinner.” It said bringing in a small tray of what looked like a soup, with a small slice of bread, and a glass of what looked like milk. She wondered what was in the soup. She knew the gorons survived on a diet of rocks so it seemed strange that they would keep regular food. Melissa guessed that since she was getting food sent to her that she probably wouldn't be leaving the room anytime soon. Melissa nodded to the little goron and took the tray. She sat it down on the bed and tasted a bit of the soup. To her surprise it was delicious. The little goron watched as she ate. “ I don't know how you people can eat that stuff over yummy rocks.” It said looking at the food in disgust sticking out it's tongue. That made her laugh. “ My name is Melissa.” She said introducing herself. “I am Darmani. My dad is the chief of the village.” the little goron said bragging. It was a name she recognized. Darmani was a great hero of the gorons. “So your dad named you after a the Great Darmani.” She said smiling. “How do you know about Darmani?” The little one asked impressed. They talked while she ate. She hadn't realized she had been so hungry till she had finished the whole thing. She wondered if things were going okay. She was getting really bored being in this room but was thankful for company. “So what do you do for fun here?” she asked hoping there would be something she could do other than waiting here. “Well sometimes we have races. There is a big track outside. I have only won a couple of times.” He said rocking on the balls of his feet. “Maybe you could show me.” She said jumping off the bed. She was so ready to get out of this room. “ I wish I could but the track has been ruined due to to the volcano acting up. ” Darmani said upset. “Well does anyone know why the volcano has woken up? No one can seem to tell us anything.” Melissa asked frustrated. “I overheard Dad talking about it a little. He doesn't really know for sure but he thinks it is connected to the temple. Supposedly there is a room that hasn't been open since the last great war. No one really knows what is in there. Even our strongest couldn't get the doors to budge.” Darmani shrugged. That sounded like the doors at the Spirit Temple. This news made her excited. She wanted to find Ganon and tell him what she had just learned. “I wonder if your dad is done talking with my friend yet.” she said as she headed to the door. “He has been done for a while now.” Darmani admitted causing Melissa turned around. “What? Why wasn't I told? Where is he now?” Melissa asked upset they hadn't told her. The little goron looked hesitant. “Actually I wasn't supposed to tell you that.” He looked nervously at her. “Well where is his room? I want to talk to him.” She said opening the door to a very dark hallway. She hesitated. After the events of today the dark scared her just a little. “It's late now. You'll see him in the morning. Don't worry this place is a part of my family's personal quarters. It is safe here.” Darmani said grabbing her hand to lead her back into the room. She was starting to become antsy and she wondered if it had anything to do with being separated from Ganon. Had she really become so fond of him that she couldn't spend one night away? If Ganon had been worried about her he would have found a way to get to her. She gave in to the pulls of the little goron. He could probably use a night off from her anyway. So she ended up talking a little while more. Before long Darunia came in to put his son to bed. “I hope you are comfortable.” Darunia said holding his already sleeping son over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “I'm good.” she said with a sleepy nod. “Where is Ganondorf? Did he behave himself? I really wanted to talk with him before I went to bed.” She said getting up. “ You should rest now. You will see him tomorrow.” He said looking at her sternly before shutting her door. Why was she being treated like a kid? It felt like they were trying to keep them apart. Oh well she was tired and would worry about it tomorrow.